Dead husband’s passport used by wife to go on holiday

A widow managed to go on holiday to the Canary Islands using her dead husband’s passport.

Blonde Pauline Briggs went through two checks at East Midlands Airport as she was jetting off to Fuerteventura unwittingly using the picture of her husband, Paul – with his dark hair and masculine features.

Mrs Briggs, 64, was horrified when she arrived with her granddaughter, grandson-in-law and their two children, and was stopped at passport control and questioned over the whereabouts of her husband.

The grandmother of ten said: ‘The question really threw me, I said “I’m Pauline Briggs” but he said “but where is Mr Briggs?” and I said “well… he’s dead”.

The officer showed Mrs Briggs the passport and the penny dropped.

The passport Mrs Briggs left at home (Picture: SWNS)

She had by-passed two security checks back in Blighty without one person questioning her sex.

The holidaymaker continued: ‘I know it was my mistake to pick up the wrong passport but I was appalled at the lack of security.

‘I would have expected that my error would mean I would have to go home and get another flight out, but because it was missed I got right through to Fuerteventura.

‘I am an innocent holidaymaker but what if I had more sinister motives – it’s not very reassuring.’